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Esra Kars

Esra has built her career in cinema through her work as a film critic and coordinator. She previously supervised the Discovery Team of Fil’m Hafızası and served on the pre-jury of the Çalı Köy and Güzel Ordu Short Film Festivals. She also worked as a guest and volunteer coordinator at the 28th Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival and as a production coordinator at Kaltfilm. A participant of the 19th Talents Sarajevo as a Talent Press, she continues to write about cinema and produce independent films.

Latest Film Reviews

  • Nino (2025)
    Review preview for Nino

    Pauline Loquès demonstrates mastery through her sincere and direct storytelling.

    Esra Kars · 3.5 out of 5
    Seventy-two hours before Nino's chemotherapy, he must complete the two missions given to him by his doctor.
  • Kika (2025)
    Review preview for Kika

    Focusing on the unpredictability of life, Poukine does not let Kika give up, no matter what she experiences.

    Esra Kars · 3 out of 5
    A grieving new mother, while struggling to make ends meet for her family, uncovers an unexpected passion within herself.

Features

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News and features

Paul Rowley on moving to New York, the Pulse massacre, and Gays Against Guns

Going ape Antonin Niclass on character creation, empathy and animated short Into The Forest

Freeform Will Niava on grief, new immigrant experiences and Jazz Infernal

In silence Emir Kumova on child marriage in Türkiye, moral challenges and making The Witness

Taking a ride into liminal spaces Katharine Round on making documentary Ghost Town

Flying blind Michael Woloson and Scott Tinkham on improvisation, experimental writing and Littermates

In deep water Dominic Curran on internet overexposure and A Little Learning Is A Dangerous Thing

More news and features

Festival coverage

Festivals
Cannes festival coverage, 2026

We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the Cheltenham International Film Festival, the Leeds International Film Festival, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and Tallinn Black Nights.



We're looking forward to the French Film Festival and DOC NYC.



We've recently brought you coverage of the Belfast Film Festival, Halloween Frightfest, the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, Newfest, the London Film Festival, the New York Film Festival and Grimmfest.



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Visit our festivals section.